1. Which words can be used to describe Zeus? Choose the best two answers.
A)
B)
C)
D)
Vengeful
Cooperative
Gentle
Ruthless
2. Who is the speaker in this story?
A)
B)
C)
D)
first person, Zeus
third person, narrator
first person, Pandora
third person, Pandora
3. Where does most of this story take place?
A)
B)
C)
D)
on Earth
in the heavens
on Mount Olympus
in Pandora’s bedroom
4. Which word best describes Pandora in this story?
A)
B)
C)
D)
curious
powerful
plain
mean-spirited
5. What can the reader learn from this sentence?
In that moment, all the evils of the world burst out of the box. Greed, Hate, Sickness, Vanity,
Dishonesty, and Jealousy all crashed around Pandora’s room in a tornado.
A)
B)
C)
D)
The moment was powerful and chaotic.
The moment was peaceful and comfortable.
The moment was formal and strict.
The moment was cheerful and upbeat.
6. What is the genre of this story?
A)
B)
C)
D)
Historical fiction because it takes place in the past
Tall tale because many details are exaggerated
Nonfiction because the information is true
Myth because it has gods and goddesses
7. Which passage best summarizes this story?
A) Pandora was made from a slab of white marble. She had precious jewels for eyes. She was the
most beautiful woman in the entire world.
B) Pandora used to be a god because she lived on Mount Olympus. Zeus sent her to Earth to get
married. He wanted her to open the small box and unleash the evil on Earth.
C) Pandora had a small, wooden box. When she opened it, she accidently unleashed all of the evils
on Earth.
D) Pandora was sent to Earth by Zeus. Zeus was very angry with all of the people living on Earth. He
sent Pandora there to get revenge on the mortals.
8. Pandora’s Box
Pandora was told she must not open a box. But, because she was curious, she couldn’t resist. When
she opened it, to her horror, many evils escaped.
What does it mean to, “Open Pandora’s box?”
a. To grant wishes
b. To help others
c. To start unexpected trouble.
d. To transform yourself
9. Midas touch
Greedy King Midas wanted everything he touched to turn to gold. His wish came true, and soon all
he put his hands on including his daughter, turned to gold.
What does it mean to, “Have the Midas touch?”
a.
b.
c.
d.
To be successful at making money
To be gentle
To have strength and power
To be playful
10. Herculean Effort
To become a god, Hercules had to complete 12 nearly impossible tasks-like fighting multithreaded
beasts. It took enormous strength to face these challenges.
What does it mean to, “Make a Herculean effort?”
a. To be the strongest person.
b. To give your best effort.
c. To be the winner.
d. To be the leader.
11. Achilles’ Heel
Achilles’ mom dipped him into the river Styx to protect him. His heel, untouched by the river, was
his only weak spot. Years later, an arrow pierced his heel, killing him.
What does an Achilles’ Heel” mean?
a. Your strongest quality
b. A trait you want to change
c. Your fun personality
d. An area of weakness or vulnerability
12.
Part A
Myths are stories that offer answers to questions about the world. What questions does this one
answer?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Why do evil things happen in our world?
Why is fire so important to humans?
Why do alligators have such big teeth?
How did the tradition of giving wedding gifts begin?
Part B
Which line from the myth supports the answer to Part A?
a. “Epimetheus was charmed by Pandora’s beauty.”
b. “Pandora was sent down from the heavens to live on Earth as a mortal.”
c. “Zeus ordered Pandora to be created to carry out his master plan.”
d. “In that moment, all the evils of the world burst out of box.”